We can only speak from our own perspective of experience Elara. It's great to see the ladies on this forum take pride in their vehicles and are attuned to the required maintenance. Alas you are in a very small minority. The vast majority of middle aged upper middle class women I know, work with, etc, treat their vehicles like they were big hand bags and couldn't tell you if the oil was ever changed, tires properly inflated, etc, etc. I'm sorry to say family members included. Just not an area of interest, nor pride. So, I too look for vehicles for them that are very dependable, easy to operate, and require less maintenance (since I have to do it).

Certainly there are guys who don't take care of their vehicles. But again, in my experience, they are a small minority.

Anyway, the Mazda3 is a great slection. Do let us know the color and configuration.

 

My point is there isn't much of anything out of the ordinary you have to do for this car, in spite of popular opinion. You're going to have to provide maintenence on any car you buy, so, on all honesty, I don't understand why this is even a factor. The 3 and the Mini are both going to have a schedule of maintenence you must follow- just like the 8. So what's the difference? So she won't spend 6 hours washing and waxing it, or tinkering with the engine, or changing her own oil, or obsessing about tires...the car doesn't just up and bite it if you put a non-enthusiast in it.

 

Well, the manual, and a seperate insert in the manual, and the dvd that comes with the car state you should check the oil ever other fillup. When I first got the car, that I did that, but after owning it for a little over a month, I agree that's probably overkill. It seems like checking it every 1000 miles or so works for me.

Also, it's my wife's car and she loves it. I get a kick out of it too whenever I end up driving her car.

 

I agree with Elara and others, the 8 is not some fragile exotic that requires extensive maintenance. Just a small bit of awareness in regard to cold shut off and checking the oil level. "It's so easy, even a Caveman could do it" (inspired by 416to212's post).

The 8 is a very practical and comfortable car that happens to be a lot of fun when you push it. There's no reason to think that it would be bad choice just because the driver may not be an enthusiast. I say, if she likes it, go for it.

 

Too late, she's going with a very dependable, easy to operate, and requires less maintenance Mazda3.

 

While you're at it, have her take a look at the Mazda 6. We had one before the 8 and really liked it. And we were able to find deals where the 6 was only about $500 more than the 3.

 

i stopped reading on page 1 so excuse me if this has been asked

why doesnt she pick her own car?

 

"Anyway, Ive decided on a Mazda 3, the full speck, leather option with all the goodies."
um, he's made his choice already, y'all. Probably doesn't want a long delayed case of buyer's remorse for the Z.
Mine bit my GF when she said it was "just a car" w/in earshot.
But you are absolutely right, it's one thing more than any other car - add oil once between oil changes.

 

because he's paying for it.

 

^ Bad mod! Bad!
But you are always so helpful, I guess you get a pass.

"When "The Wife" pays for her own car, she can choose it, ok?"

Makes ya feel all fuzzy, huh?

 

***The wife of the op posting**
Hi there, my name is Sue, and my husband just showed me this thread.
You guys should know that my husband really is wonderfull and treats me like an angel.

I just dont want to be bothered choosing a car, test driving it, etc.

Fred has been so excited for me, showing me pictures and printing out all the colors.

I do like the Mini cooper, whenever I see one I love it. But it is really too small, and my hubby hates them. BEsides the Mazda 3 looks really nice, and suites me just fine.

I'm just not a car person.
******************

Well there you have it folks, right out the horses mouth!!
ouch!!

hehehe, seriosuly, Im no male chauvenist guys.

Anyway, thanks for the laughs. We went to the dealership today, and the, uh I mean My wife, loves the car, she chose Blue with black leather.

Oh and just for the record, the 350Z is a much better sports car than the RX8!!

SO there!!

peace

fred

 

oh, how cute.

 

OK, we can be friends again.